fewer questions have arisen where I was not aware of the Board's views. 2. It has been possible, by writing circular letters as for example in character cases and others to ascertain the members' opinions as adequately and at less expense.

A new system of preserving and filing the question sheets has been employed. A chest of seventy-five numbered drawers is used; in addition, a card catalogue of the various positions for which examinations are held is used and on each card is placed the number of the drawer in which are kept the papers set for that position. As a rule, but one copy of each set of papers is preserved.

A constant effort has been made to improve the character of the papers set and to raise the standard without making them too academic or unjustly difficult. The effort has been always to make them more practical, though "practical" has not always seemed to me to mean what is meant by some critics of the merit system. For example, in endeavoring to ascertain the candidate's ability and qualifications to perform the duties of a given position I had ceased to ask whether he knew what the duties were, even before that course was made imperative by Rule 16 governing examinations. The object, in all examinations, has been not to find out whether the candidate knew the routine of the position, but whether, having learned that after appointment, he was likely to do his work efficiently. A broader range has been given some lines of examination without consciously asking any questions that did not have a direct bearing upon the ascertainment of the candidate's qualifications for the particular position sought. It is not for me to say how far this attempt has succeeded, but, I think, I may say that there has been an improvement. Indeed, if I had learned nothing by two years' experience, I ought no longer to continue in the position. One other departure from old methods may be mentioned. The same examination papers are never set twice, though it is impossible particularly so in technical examinations to avoid sometimes repeating questions.

A comparison of the number of candidates examined in the first eleven months of 1896 and 1897 shows that there were examined 1,141 more candidates in 1897 than in 1896, an increase of nearly 23 per cent. It is probable that the December examinations will increase materially this difference. Some slight part of this increase is due to the bringing within our jurisdiction certain employes of the Board of Education; some of it to the provision for an increased number of inspectors in the Board of Health. Against these may be set off the Attendants on the Insane, now under the State Board, of whom nearly 150 were examined in 1896, before the transfer.

The reasons for this large increase, and a speculation upon the effect upon the number of applications, of the financial and political condition of the country, offer a tempting field for investigation, study and elucidation, but I am aware they do not properly belong in a report already too long. There is one point, however, to which attention may be called. The first six months-especially February to June- are heavy months. (The small number examined in June, 1897, was owing to delays caused by the passage of the Civil Service Act of 1897.) September is a light month and the Autumn months generally are less crowded than the Spring.

Respectfully submitted,

F. G. IRELAND,

Chief Examiner.

Report of Secretary.

NEW YORK, December 6, 1897.

To the Hon. Civil Service Commissioners:

GENTLEMEN.I herewith present report showing transactions of the Commission during the year 1897:

It was evident, owing to the increased business of the office, that the Commission should be assigned to larger quarters than those which they at the time occupied, and early in the year the Commission moved its office to the quarters which it at present occupies, and which, in every respect, was suitable for the transaction of the office business, examinations, etc.

The custom of making a monthly report to the Mayor, and the publication of same in the City Record, has been pursued throughout the year, thus keeping the public informed of all actions taken by the Commission.

The pay-rolls of the City have been presented to the Commission for verification, regularly, and it is fair to state, that except in a few cases, the pay-rolls have been passed without any names being deducted therefrom, the names of persons appearing thereon having been appointed in compliance with the Civil Service Laws. The cases which have arisen where names have been deducted, in nearly every instance, have been due to a misunderstanding, or else some failure to comply with the minor or more formal requirements of the Regulations, such as failure to send notice of appointment, or the exceeding of the time allowed, of a temporary appointee.

The employes in the Board of Education, the Rapid Transit Commission, the Sinking Fund Commission, the City Magistrates, the District Civil Court, and the Court of Special Sessions, have

within the past year been brought within, and subject to, the provisions of the Civil Service Law, with the exception of the City Superintendent in the Board of Education, and the Secretary and Chief Engineer of the Rapid Transit Commission. All positions. in the above-named Departments were classified as subject to examination, and subject to competitive examination, with the exception of Assistant City Superintendent, and Superintendent of Special Branches, and all positions in the Nautical School in the Board of Education. The latter-named positions were classified as sub

ject to noncompetitive examination.

With but one or two exceptions, all new positions arising have been classified as subject to competitive examination, the exception being only in such cases where a competitive examination was not found to be practicable, or one of trust, and of a strictly confidential nature.

No competitive examinations have been held except in the case of such positions as were specifically classified in Schedule "A," as "subject to noncompetitive examination," and at no time has a noncompetitive examination been held for any position classified in Schedules "B" to "F," or for promotion to any position, unless certificate was filed from the appointing power, to the effect that the person was the only one in the next lower grade, eligible for promotion.

In a few instances, positions which were previously subject to competitive examination have been transferred from the competitive schedules to Schedule "A," "subject to noncompetitive examination."

The positions referred to are as follows:

City Surveyor. It was found impracticable to hold a competitive examination, for the reason that the appointment is one made by the Board of Aldermen, and the person appointed does not occur upon the pay-roll of the Board of Aldermen, but receives his remuneration from certain assessments for work done. Trained Nurse.- The Commission considered that the diploma

from a Training School of high standing was the equivalent of a competitive examination.

Pilot and Marine Engineer.- The license from the United States Government is equally available.

Nurses, Pilots and Marine Engineers are placed (upon showing their diploma or license) upon the eligible list, in the order of their application, and are certified for appointment accordingly.

Considerable complaint had been made to the Commission of evasions in the engineering positions, and upon investigation, it was found that an Axeman in one Department was paid $1,300, while a person holding the same position in another Department received but $720 per annum. The same inconsistency in salaries existed in higher offices, and it was very evident that the Regulations governing promotions were being evaded, by increasing the salary of an incumbent without changing his title, while he was assigned to perform the duties of a position in the higher grade.

A system of grading engineering positions according to maximum salary was then established, and the change of title or compensation above the maximum named was not allowed without an open competitive examination. The establishment of this grade of engineering positions carried out effectually the provisions governing promotion. The Commission has endeavored, wherever possible, to raise the standard of the eligibles. In the case of Firemen and Park Policemen, the physical qualifications were raised from 70 to 75 the mental, from 60 to 70, and the ascertained average on all, 80. Keepers in the Department of Correction were required to pass a thorough physical examination, and to be within a certain standard as to height, weight and age, while previously such requirements were not in vogue.

The trade examination of mechanics has been continued and proven efficient and practical in every particular. The standard of laborers was also raised, and the following examination required of all mechanics and laborers; the failure to pass which would debar candidate from registration. The examination of eye